Multi-material shoes with intricate lattices and curves, 3D printed in a single build using the Objet500 Connex3 Color Multi-material 3D Production System

Inspired by naturally occurring curves with a futuristic twist, the collection comprises three pairs of shoes, a bag, bracelet and a top – demonstrating the design creativity enabled by Stratasys’ unique triple-jetting technology. Featuring vibrant colors from bright pink to contrasting monochrome, along with complex rigid and soft material combinations, each item was 3D printed in a single build.

“3D printing enables us to offer a new line of items to our clients. We can design and 3D print realistic prototypes in a matter of hours and incorporate any required design iterations before starting full production,” explains Elisa Luciani, Sales Manager from Gruppo Meccaniche Luciani. “As we can modify the design and 3D print the revised product the same day, we minimize costs and reduce our turnaround time significantly, while maintaining the highest-quality.”

Beautiful Precision

Using Stratasys’ rubber-like materials, the radical top features varying levels of softness where it directly touches the skin

With durability and highly-detailed aesthetics crucial in the development of the shoes, Gruppo Meccaniche Luciani used Stratasys’ triple-jetting technology to mix materials and colors on-the-fly. One pair of shoes in the collection features several intricate, sharp latticed curves. According to Luciani, achieving the complexity of the collection could only be realized using Stratasys’ technology: “When designing the shoe we were concerned about the rigidity and resistance of the heels, but the 3D printer’s ability to combine varying densities of rigid and soft material simultaneously, enabled us to manufacture the whole shoe in one print.”

“Previously it was impossible to produce prototype parts such as boots and bags quickly without making a sample mold. With 3D printing, we can produce high precision prototypes significantly quicker than traditional prototyping allowed,” she adds.

Creating realistic wearables with advanced 3D printing materials

3D printed using Stratasys’ rigid opaque materials, the triangular structure of the handbag is designed for extreme protection of its content and to withstand everyday use

Also featured in the collection is an elaborate 3D printed monochrome top and bracelet. Produced using a combination of advanced materials, the piece employs dramatic color contrasts to emphasize the erratic curves featured in the center of the top.

In order to avoid the uncomfortable rigidness typically posed by plastic, the company chose Stratasys’ flexible rubber-like materials as an alternative.

Luciani explains: “Our main requirement was to produce a highly-detailed, realistic wearable. Using Stratasys’ materials, we were able to 3D print a top with varying levels of softness that could be worn in direct contact with the skin. The ability to combine rigid and soft materials simultaneously is unique and would have otherwise entailed manual manufacture and individual assembly of each material.”

3D printed bag exhibits flower power

Completing the collection is a flower-inspired handbag that uses combinations of sharp triangles layer-upon-layer to build and mimic futuristic curves. According to Luciani utilizing the durability of Stratasys’ rigid opaque VeroBlack material has enabled her design team to create a wearable that can endure everyday use.